Statistics released in late February by the Stamford Public School System shows that 148 employees filed claims for workers' compensation for injuries that they'd suffered from mold exposure during the 2018-2019 fiscal year. This accounts for 38 percent of all claims...
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Workers’ Compensation
What are the top 3 most dangerous professions in the U.S.?
Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data shows that 5,147 workers died in what's been described as accidental workplace deaths in 2017. While this number decreased by 43 people over what it was in 2016, worker fatality rates are significantly higher than they were 10...
How can you avoid dropped object incidents at construction sites?
Data recently published by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) shows that just over 50,000 reports of workers being struck by falling objects occurred during its most recently recorded year. This equates to more than 140 workers being struck every...
Reviewing the Connecticut workers’ compensation claims process
Most workers in Connecticut have some understanding of their rights under the state's workers' compensation system, but what they don't know may lead to costly errors in pursuing a claim for benefits. The workers' compensation system is intended to provide important...
A Stamford construction worker falls from a roof to his death
A 59-year-old Stamford construction worker fell to his death while attempting to replace a warehouse roof on Oct. 10. The incident occurred at Stamford Windustrial, located along Sunnyside Avenue in Waterside. Police were first dispatched to the warehouse that...
Supreme Court rules in favor of worker’s widow’s asbestos claim
This blog focuses almost exclusively on the Connecticut workers' compensation law, but other laws at the state and federal level provide compensation for certain kinds of on-the-job injuries and illnesses. When two compensation statutes intersect, employers will often...
What is so dangerous about working in road construction?
Connecticut State Police and other law enforcement agencies have stepped up their public service announcements highlighting their increased enforcement of traffic infractions in road construction zones in recent years. They've been motivated to do so because,...
Disability benefits under Connecticut workers’ compensation
Connecticut's workers' compensation system provides a variety of benefits to workers who suffer an injury or illness that is related to their employment. If a person is rendered unable to work because of a work-related illness or injury, that person may be eligible...
Understanding the workers’ compensation appeal process
Filing a claim for workers' compensation benefits can be relatively simple, unless the claim is rejected by the workers' compensation commissioner or his designee. At that point, the procedure may become legally complicated depending upon the error that the...
High court orders payment of comp benefits for injured worker
In its most recent post, this blog analyzed the nature of a third-party claim in Connecticut's workers compensation law. A third-party claim is a civil lawsuit against a party that is not the employer of the injured party but who may have been liable for a portion of...
Verdicts & Settlements
36-year-old laborer for landscaping company fractured wrist when fellow employee hit him with truck. Claimant received in excess of $30,000 in workers’ compensation benefits for total disability and medical expenses and settled with automobile insurance company for fellow employee for $95,000.
1989 workers’ compensation claim settled for $125,000. Claimant originally sustained a low back injury when she slipped and fell at local grocery store resulting in low back surgery in 1989. Several years later, claimant exacerbated her low back injury. Claim was reopened and settled with carrier for $125,000 in 2006.
47-year-old deli clerk sustained low back injuries at work for local supermarket. Carrier originally denied claim on the grounds that the injury was pre-existing. After formal workers’ compensation hearing carrier accepted claim and paid all total disability benefits and medical expenses in excess of $100,000. Case then settled for an additional $100,000 after injured person received a permanent disability rating.
34-year-old male roofer sustained multiple injuries to his shoulder, neck, back and hip when he fell from roof during work. Claimant was provided workers’ compensation benefits in excess of $100,000 and settled remaining claims for an additional $55,000.
40-year-old male working for cleaning company sustained neck and low back injuries when he fell on defective staircase while cleaning local museum. Claimant recovered over $95,000 in workers’ compensation benefits and resolved claim against museum for $85,000.
26-year-old laborer sustained fractured foot when a cast iron pipe was dropped on his foot. Employer and workers’ compensation carrier denied claim on basis that injured worker was an independent contractor. After a series of informal and formal workers’ compensation hearings, carrier conceded that claimant was an employee and settled case for $85,000.
24-year-old waitress sustained back injury while working at Outback Steak House. Workers’ compensation insurance company initially denied the claim. After a series of informal hearings, carrier accepted claim paying medical expenses and total disability benefits. In addition to those benefits paid, claim settled for an additional $75,000.
Delivery truck driver sustained right wrist fracture in rear-end motor vehicle accident while in the course of his employment. Claimant recovered in excess of $40,000 in workers’ compensation benefits for medical expenses and total disability benefits. Claimant settled case against at-fault driver for $105,000.
22-year-old male working as stocking clerk at “big box” retailer sustained herniated disc in low back. Workers’ compensation carrier refused to accept the claim. After formal workers’ compensation, hearing commissioner ordered carrier to pay over $35,000 in past total disability benefits and pay for surgery and all related medical expenses. Case settled for an additional $35,000 for a total recovery in excess of $100,000.
Rear-end collision on entrance ramp to Merritt Parkway resulting in 49-year-old woman sustaining mid-back injury. Case settled at mediation after filing suit for $300,000.
28-year-old passenger sustained multiple herniated discs in automobile accident in New York state. New York no-fault carrier paid for extended period of disability from work and medical expenses, including expenses for surgery. Case settled against driver of vehicle for $300,000 policy limits shortly after filing suit.
54-year-old man sustains shoulder injury when hit from behind by uninsured motorist on New Jersey Turnpike. Case settled for $135,000 prior to trial.
CT Transit bus driver sustained torn meniscus in collision with another vehicle. Claims made against at-fault driver, workers’ compensation carrier and client’s underinsured motorist policy. All claims settle for a recovery in excess of $100,000.
68-year-old woman sustained neck and back injuries in rear-end collision and required extended course physical therapy, but was not a surgical candidate. Case settled for $100,000 prior to filing suit.
34-year-old woman sustained concussion and neck and back injuries in hit-and-run accident on a New York highway. Claimant settled uninsured motorist claim for her $100,000 policy limits.
80-year-old woman sustained right foot fracture when her foot was run over in a parking lot. Case settled for at-fault driver’s policy limit of $100,000 prior to filing suit.
38-year-old nanny sustained right femur fracture when she fell down defective stairs in home of her employer’s neighbor. All medical expenses and lost wages reimbursed and case settled for an additional $150,000.
Claim against landlord for defective staircase in multi-family rental house. Claimant sustained a right femur fracture. Case settled for $125,000 prior to filing suit.
$95,000 judgment obtained against bar and nightclub for assault by one of its patrons against another patron.
47-year-old woman sustained a broken left wrist when she fell from porch stairs at house she was renting. Case settled for $95,000 shortly before trial.
26-year-old male bitten on leg by German shepherd. Claim against dog owner settled for $65,000 plus payment of all medical expenses.